Health and community services

• Health and community services at Deakin
• Our courses
• Special features of our courses
• Career opportunities
• Further information

Health and community services at Deakin

Health studies at Deakin focus on making a difference in the community. You will be taught by well qualified, enthusiastic teachers and researchers with broad international links who use online and traditional teaching methods. Fieldwork is an integral part of most health courses, giving you practical work experience, and is undertaken with the many agencies and businesses with which we have long term relationships.

Courses are offered in the fields of health science, food and nutrition, public health and health promotion, occupational therapy and social work.

Deakin has strong partnerships with organisations such as the World Health Organization, Australian Drug Foundation, Victorian Health Promotion Board and various food companies such as Unilever and Simplot, further enhancing course content.

Our courses

At Deakin we offer a range of specialisations within the area of study of health.

Health sciences: This study area is ideal if you want to learn about a range of health and social justice issues and develop versatility in your career path. The Bachelor of Health Sciences degree allows you to choose two or more major areas of study, i.e. you may combine psychology with exercise science or nutrition, physical activity and health with marketing, nutrition with health promotion or disability studies.

Food and nutrition: The issues of nutrition and health sit high on the national agenda and there is growing demand for specialists in these fields. Studies will cover areas such as cardiovascular disease, nutrition and ageing, children's food habits, socio-physiological aspects of food and nutrition, bone health, the nutritional and health implications of food composition and processing.

Occupational therapy: With accreditation by Occupational Therapy (OT) Australia and World Federation of Occupational Therapists, the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy has been developed to meet changing workforce needs. Fieldwork is a major component of the degree and you will gain experience in schools, hospitals, clinics, and industry, in metropolitan, rural and regional areas. You will study the human body and how it functions and gain an understanding of health concepts and occupational therapy theories and practices.

Public health and health promotion: Studies in public health and health promotion focuses on developing the capacity of individuals and communities for improving the health and wellbeing of the population. The course has a strong emphasis on practical experience. Lecturers are well connected with public health and health promotion employers and the course is designed to meet future employers' needs and to prepare work-ready graduates.

Social work: This course takes a broad-based approach to social work with an emphasis on regional and rural communities, women's issues, community development and social development. Field placements are essential for professional accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and students will experience social work in a variety of communities and workplaces in metropolitan and regional settings. For eligible students there is an opportunity to study an honours year as part of the four year course.

View a list of health and community services courses for:

• local students
• international students

Special features of our courses

Pathways
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Sciences with two health majors and electives in biomedical science is one of the many pathways for graduates to apply for entry into the graduate entry program Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery. Depending on subject choice, the Bachelor of Health Sciences can also be an alternative pathway to more advanced study in dietetics, public health, public health nutrition, psychology, social work and other allied health areas.

The Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion is also a pathway to apply for entry into the Deakin Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery.

Graduates who successfully complete the Bachelor of Food and Nutrition - or the Bachelor of Health Sciences with a nutrition major - plus biochemistry, biochemistry metabolism and food composition, will meet the admission requirements for application to the Master of Dietetics.

Industry learning
Our partnerships with government bodies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities ensure that our courses remain relevant to industry. Students learn from lecturers with specialist skills developed by their work with outside agencies, their research and community involvement. In addition, many courses have fieldwork or work experience programs that will help you to apply your knowledge while you study.

Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and the Bachelor of Social Work are designed to fulfil the relevant registration requirements for their professions.

Gradates and enrolled students of the Bachelor of Food and Nutrition can apply for membership of the Nutrition Society of Australia.

Overseas study
Give yourself the competitive edge after graduation; discover and live in a new country and make friends all around the world. The Deakin Education Abroad program is available to all students, including international, postgraduate and off-campus students. You may take the opportunity to participate in short overseas study tours and semesters of study abroad. Students have studied equivalent Deakin units in more than 20 countries including the USA, Italy, Sweden, Japan, UK , Ireland, China, Canada and Norway.

Career opportunities

Job growth in the health sector is strong and continues to increase as public health issues such as obesity, physical inactivity, mental health, and an ageing population, affect our health systems. Developing an understanding of healthy societies, community participation and development, social justice, and individual wellbeing are also important considerations in contemporary society. Our graduates have found employment in local and state government, district health services, health outpatient clinics, the education sector, businesses and private industry.

Depending on your choice of majors, employment opportunities may include work in areas including:

Health sciences: disability services, family and community support, food and nutrition policy, health counselling, health education, health promotion, health and sport marketing, nutrition, coaching and public health.

Food and nutrition: nutrition, product purchasing, food technology, community nutrition, food policy, food regulation, consumer education and awareness campaigns.

Occupational therapy: private practice, hospitals, aged care, community health centres and organisations, disability support, rehabilitation and schools.

Public health and health promotion: community health, health policy development, health research, partnerships management, community development, health promotion, public health.

Social work: child and family welfare, corrections, education, health, income security, counselling, women’s health, youth projects, substance misuse, case management, disability support, mental health.

Further information

For further information visit the School of Health and Social Development web site.

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